News

Peers can be poor

LORD OUSELEY starts his article about people’s peers (News Review, November 23) by saying those like him have poor voting records since they “mostly have to earn their way in the world, unlike those who are party political animals or have a pension and can attend the house every day”.

Why does he think those who are “party political animals” don’t have to earn their way in the world? Although a high proportion of peers are retired, many are not and have to work extra hard juggling a career with as much participation in the Lords as they can manage.

What is a pity is that more people’s peers don’t vote in crucial divisions on major bills. In the final three days of the session, there were 12 divisions. The highest number of crossbenchers voting was 35. There are 179 crossbenchers altogether.